FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release #020-00
Friday, January 14, 2000
Contact: Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter 212/788-2958
Jim Moses 212/669-4861 (DOF)
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Department of Finance Commissioner Andrew S. Eristoff announced today that motorists, from the comfort of their homes or offices, will now be able to pay their parking violations over the Internet using a major credit card or a debit card with a MasterCard or Visa logo. Individuals can utilize this service by logging onto the Department of Finance's website at http://nyc.gov/finance.
"Over the past six years one of the goals of my Administration has been to restructure City government to make it more convenient for New Yorkers," said Mayor Giuliani. "This new service, which will allow individuals the opportunity to pay their parking tickets over the Internet from the comfort of their homes, is just one way we're making this happen. I want to thank Commissioner Eristoff and the Department of Finance for offering citizens this convenience, thus making their interaction with City government less burdensome."
The on-line payment service is the latest in the Department of Finance's recent initiatives to expand credit and debit card payment options. Last year the Department began accepting credit card payments for parking violations through the City's network of payment kiosks. The Department later expanded the program to its five Borough Help Centers, and six months ago began accepting credit card payments over the telephone.
"No one enjoys paying a parking ticket but, it doesn't have to be inconvenient now that you can make a payment over the Internet," said Commissioner Eristoff. "By giving our 'customers' the same payment options and convenience they would expect from a retail store, we anticipate that this newest service will prove popular and actually lead to a reduction in outstanding parking debt."
Commissioner Eristoff also noted that this method of payment should not be used if a vehicle has been towed or if a judgment is in default, as it is difficult to estimate the precise amount owed in such cases.
Information that is sent from the Department's website over the Internet is encrypted by using a security technology called Secured Socket Layers (SSL) that reduces the possibility of unauthorized access to private information. This technology encrypts the information before transmitting, so that only the person requesting it is able to view it.
Accepting on-line parking ticket payments is just the latest of several enhancements to the Department's website. Between July and November 1999, more than 111,000 visitors accessed important information and downloaded more than 41,000 forms and guides.